This research aims to address the feasibility and acceptability of a brief empowerment counselling intervention (ECI) among pregnant women and girls receiving antenatal care (ANC) who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV), in humanitarian healthcare settings.
This research aims to address the feasibility and acceptability of a brief empowerment counseling intervention (ECI) among pregnant women and girls receiving antenatal care (ANC) who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV), in humanitarian healthcare settings. This 3- year study will take place in two IRC-managed health posts in a refugee camp in Kigoma, Tanzania. The objectives of the study are to: 1) Adapt, as needed, for use in the context of ANC in a humanitarian setting, a brief ECI to address women's and girls' exposure to sexual and/or physical IPV during pregnancy, by improving their mental health, self-efficacy, safety, and coping strategies; 2) Test the ECI through a pilot randomized controlled trial, determining whether the intervention is feasible/acceptable and whether it improves women's self-efficacy, reduces mental distress and increases uptake of longer-term IPV services; 3) Test the feasibility of integrating such an intervention into pre-existing ANC service delivery in humanitarian settings and make recommendations for future intervention research and development, including effectively linking routine enquiry of IPV in ANC settings with support service use.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
150
The intervention entails case managers conducting first-line support (i.e., a brief psychosocial support session), and a safety and health assessment, adapted from current case management content and the Safe and Sound intervention.
Patient Health Questionnaire - 9
Depressive symptoms will be assessed via the PHQ-9 questionnaire. The range of scores is 0-27. A higher score indicates more symptoms.
Time frame: 3 months endline survey, past two week recall period
General Self-Efficacy Scale
Adapted measure of the GSE Scale. Possible score 10-40; higher indicating more self-efficacy.
Time frame: 3 months endline survey, present recall period
Checklist of Safety Behaviors
12 item index of safety behaviors; increased number of safety behaviors indicates improvement in safety behaviors
Time frame: Through study completion, average length three months;
Uptake of case management services
Two items indicating whether a survivor has shared information about violence with others or has sought additional services. Higher endorsement is better uptake of case management services.
Time frame: Through study completion, average length three months;
Intimate Partner violence-
Proportion of women indicating they have experienced physical, sexual, and / or psychological IPV using the WHO multi-country study instruments on IPV
Time frame: Through study completion, average length three months;
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